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What Is Fragrance Load?
Fragrance load is the percentage of the total candle blend's weight that comes from fragrance oil. It's carved out of the total blend rather than added on top of a full wax pour, which is why raising the percentage doesn't add to your candle's total weight — it only shifts the balance between wax and fragrance within it.
For a 7.5 cm × 9 cm container of soy wax, the total blend comes out to about 386.5 g regardless of fragrance load:
| Fragrance load | Fragrance | Wax | Total blend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6% | 23.2 g | 363.3 g | 386.5 g |
| 8% | 30.9 g | 355.6 g | 386.5 g |
| 10% | 38.6 g | 347.8 g | 386.5 g |
The percentage changes the balance, not the total. These figures are calculated by Faluma's candle calculator using the same formula as the tool above.
Recommended Fragrance Load by Wax Type
As a general starting point, many candle makers work within ranges such as 6-10% for soy and paraffin waxes. Beeswax is often used with lower fragrance loads, around 3-5%, partly because it already has a distinct natural aroma. These are general starting points, not universal limits: the maximum permitted usage rate depends on the specific fragrance oil, wax, and supplier guidance.
Fragrance Load and Safety
Most fragrance oils sold for candle making come with an IFRA (International Fragrance Association) certificate stating a maximum safe usage percentage for that specific fragrance — which can be lower than the amount your wax could otherwise hold. Always check the certificate or usage guidance provided by your fragrance supplier rather than assuming a general guideline applies to every fragrance oil you use.
How Wax Type Changes What a Given Fragrance Load Looks Like
The table above uses soy wax in a 7.5 cm × 9 cm container. Fill the exact same container with coconut wax instead — a slightly denser wax at 0.92 g/cm³ against soy's 0.90 g/cm³ — and the total blend shifts too, even before you touch the fragrance percentage:
| Fragrance load | Fragrance | Wax | Total blend (coconut) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6% | 23.7 g | 371.4 g | 395.1 g |
| 8% | 31.6 g | 363.5 g | 395.1 g |
| 10% | 39.5 g | 355.6 g | 395.1 g |
Compare this to the soy figures above: the same container and the same percentages produce a heavier total blend in coconut wax (395.1 g against 386.5 g in soy), simply because of the density difference — a few grams that have nothing to do with how much you scent the candle. This is why a fragrance percentage that worked in one wax isn't automatically the right starting point for another wax — the wax itself changes the baseline before fragrance ever enters the equation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does more fragrance oil make my candle smell stronger when burning?
Not necessarily. Increasing fragrance oil beyond what a particular wax and fragrance combination can handle may lead to issues such as sweating, poor adhesion, or other burn and performance problems rather than simply producing a stronger scent. Testing is essential.
Why does the total blend weight stay the same when I change the fragrance percentage?
Because fragrance oil is calculated as part of your total blend, not added on top of a full wax pour — increasing the percentage shifts weight from wax to fragrance rather than adding extra weight overall.
Can I use the same fragrance percentage for every wax type?
Not always — different waxes hold fragrance differently, so a load that works well in soy might behave differently in paraffin or beeswax. Use the guideline above as a starting point and adjust based on a test pour.
Where do I find my fragrance oil's exact maximum usage rate?
Check the IFRA certificate or usage guidance provided by your fragrance oil supplier — it's specific to that exact fragrance, and the most reliable source for a maximum safe percentage.
Related Tools
Estimates are indicative. Always test-burn before selling and check the wick is safe for your wax and container.